Sterilized multilayer film and method and apparatus for making the same

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a sterilized multilayer film used for storing liquids and solids. The disclosure also provides an apparatus and method for producing a sterilized multilayer film appropriate for use in food and drink storage applications. In an example, the apparatus can produce a sterilized flexible storage bag for use in a container, for example, within a housing of the container, wherein a lid is positioned over an end of the housing, wherein the flexible storage bag is held between the lid and the housing.

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         5 . A flexible storage bag container comprising:
 a multilayer film comprising
 a first layer comprising a polyethylene polymer, wherein the thickness of the first layer is between, and including, 5 and 20 microns, 
 a second layer comprising a polyethylene polymer, wherein the thickness of the first layer is between, and including, 15 and 60 microns, and 
 an intermediate layer comprising ethylene vinyl alcohol, polyvinylidene chloride, polyvinylidene chloride co-methacrylate, polyvinylidene chloride co-acrylate, or combinations thereof, wherein the thickness of the intermediate layer is between, and including, 5 and 20 microns, 
 wherein the intermediate layer is positioned between the first layer and the second layer, 
 wherein the multilayer film forms the flexible storage bag, wherein an outer surface of the flexible storage bag is the first layer, and wherein an inner surface of the flexible storage bag is the second layer; and 
   a housing including a side wall, a housing first end, and a housing second end, wherein the flexible storage bag is positioned within the housing; and   a lid positioned over the housing first end, wherein at least a portion of the flexible storage bag may be held between the lid and the housing first end.   
     
     
         6 . The flexible storage bag container of  claim 5 , wherein the first layer includes linear low density polyethylene, and the second layer includes linear low density polyethylene. 
     
     
         7 . The flexible storage bag container of  claim 5 , wherein the first layer includes at least two layers of linear low density polyethylene, and where the second layer includes at least two layers of linear low density polyethylene. 
     
     
         8 . The flexible storage bag container of  claim 5 , further comprising a first polyamide layer between the first layer and the intermediate layer, and a second polyamide layer between the intermediate layer and the second layer. 
     
     
         9 . The flexible storage bag container of  claim 5  further comprising
 a shrink-wrap film surrounding at least a portion of the housing and at least a portion of the lid, wherein the shrink-wrap film secures the lid to the housing. 
 
     
     
         10 . A method of manufacturing a sterile multilayer film, the method comprising:
 advancing a multilayer film through a hydrogen peroxide solution bath, wherein the first layer and the second layer are coated with the hydrogen peroxide solution; and   applying radiation from one or more UVC lights to the first layer and the second layer.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising wiping each coated layer to create a uniform thickness of the coating of hydrogen peroxide solution. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising applying blown gas to the multilayer film after the multilayer film exits the hydrogen peroxide solution bath, wherein the temperature of the air does not exceed 70° C. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising sealing the multilayer film to form the flexible storage bag, wherein an outer surface of the flexible storage bag is the first layer, and wherein an inner surface of the flexible storage bag is the second layer. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the multilayer film includes
 a first layer comprising a polyethylene polymer, wherein the thickness of the first layer is between, and including, 5 and 20 microns;   a second layer comprising a polyethylene polymer, wherein the thickness of the first layer is between, and including, 15 and 60 microns; and   an intermediate layer comprising ethylene vinyl alcohol, polyvinylidene chloride, polyvinylidene chloride co-methacrylate, polyvinylidene chloride co-acrylate, or combinations thereof, wherein the thickness of the intermediate layer is between, and including, 5 and 20 microns,   wherein the intermediate layer is positioned between the first layer and the second layer.   
     
     
         15 . An apparatus for manufacturing a flexible storage bag, the apparatus comprising:
 a propulsion system for advancing a multilayer film, wherein the multilayer film includes a first layer and a second layer;   an immersion chamber configured to hold a hydrogen peroxide solution, wherein the immersion chamber is covered, wherein the multilayer film is moved through the solution held in the immersion chamber; and   one or more UVC lights configured to apply UVC light to the first layer and the second layer of the multilayer film,   wherein the propulsion system advances the multilayer film through the immersion chamber and to the UVC light.   
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15  further comprising one or more wipers configured to wipe a coating of hydrogen peroxide solution on the multilayer film to create a uniform thickness of the hydrogen peroxide solution on the multilayer film as the multilayer film exits from the immersion chamber. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 15  further comprising one or more wipers configured to wipe a coating of hydrogen peroxide solution on the multilayer film to create a uniform thickness of the hydrogen peroxide solution on the multilayer film after the multilayer film exits from the immersion chamber. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 15  further comprising one or more blowers configured to apply gas to the multilayer film, wherein the temperature of the gas does not exceed 70° C., wherein the blowers apply the gas to the multilayer film after the multilayer film exits the immersion chamber. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the propulsion system includes a plurality of rollers.